Air India’s New Policy: No Free Upgrades For Staff, Customers First

India-West News Desk

NEW DELHI – Air India announced on March 25 that, starting April 1, all employees, including top executives, will fly in economy class to prioritize paying customers, as the airline seeks to improve its reputation following criticism over flight delays.

Employees will only be upgraded to premium economy or business class if seats remain unsold 50 minutes before departure.

“We want to ensure that our premium seats—currently in high demand—are available to customers first, reflecting a culture of customer-centricity in the new Air India,” a spokesperson told Reuters

India is one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, with domestic air travel rising annually by 10-12% over the past decade, according to government data.

Once state-owned, Air India was acquired by the Tata Group in 2022 and later merged with Vistara, a joint venture between Tata and Singapore Airlines. The airline has invested billions in its turnaround, including a rebranding effort, and fleet interior upgrades.

Last week, Reuters reported that Air India is considering a multi-billion-dollar order for dozens of widebody jets from Boeing and Airbus.